I painted the angel in now and worked on Mary further.
I've never painted an androgyne looking figure before, and the angel will be one. He'll also get an ear and maybe some jewelry. I think I'll be also working on Mary's eyes, I'm not yet completely satisfied with them.

The angel is for the time being finished, but perhaps I'll later work on him further. Mary's dress is almost done and I'm planning to put some props on the floor. A bowl of fruits, a lute... to make it looking not so empty.

Trying to bring "motion" into it - I made Mary's hair and dress waving a bit.
Do you think her face is okay? My father said it wasn't entirely correct, but I've stared at it too long during the painting process, so I need other eyes ^^;

BlacKeri

04-12-2005, 07:51 PM

Wow that's such a nice image :)
Very calm and soothing I have to say, not often do I see such style in today's art. Simply lovely :)

This is what I've done so far... ^^'' I'm not completely satisfied with Mary's face yet, will be reworking it later. Now I need a break. X_X;
The squares on the pillars show scenes from the old testament - from top to bottom: Eve and the temptation of the evil, the chasing out of the paradise, and Cain killing Abel.
I've got quite the feeling that it will be finished soon.

Crikey, wow... give me a moment to recover here. I have to say, your icon drew me in with its beautifully lucid style and soft colours, and I'm not disappointed by what I see here. You've taken the renaissance subject and given it a wonderful modern over haul. You've managed to make what some could see as an outdated subject seem vivid and alive. Wow. I'm in shock. You are destined for great things, certainly.

Lovely work on the expression of Mary particularly, almost whimiscal, and the angel looks so serene and divine.

Wow wow wow.

korayarts

04-14-2005, 05:41 PM

I like your composition so much...kepp it up...

Maidith

04-14-2005, 06:21 PM

@ cha0t1c1
Thank you! ^^ This "divine feeling" is what I wanted to achieve. I'm glad if it looks to you this way.

Zzzz...
I think it is almost finished. I'm never really really happy with an image, but I'm not unhappy with it either. Actually it looks good to me, but in my brain it could be better... I don't know in which way it could be better, but it could.
That's how I always feel when I finished an image. X_X

fooxoo

04-16-2005, 11:36 AM

Beautiful, soft colours, peaceful look. Neat job!:thumbsup: A little bit of light into the everyday grey stuff. I like it!

Neozoom

04-16-2005, 11:51 AM

Maidith your excellent but there is a matter , a BIG matter..

see your post : 230 views and 16 answers... AND you have already NEARLY FINISHED it!!!

the contest is WIP!!! in two MONTHES!! you've got the time to wait feebacks and crits to improve the picture... and make more steps and add more detials some special shots of your pics to make people views...

and most of all you've not commented on other as what i 've seen...
that's why nobody comes...

try more interactivity and improve your picture...

anyway good picture and nice for a young girl of 15 yo :)
;)
the anatomy have still some troubles , like the hands and quite unatural poses...
the lights are brights and nice with the feeling bu more contrast would be cool :)

the backgroud is a bit to empty... what with some city flying in the sea of clouds?

good luck and take time to go right back to make INCREDIBLE pic , you are only 15 and you can ;)
goes away girl!! :D

@Neozoom
Thanks too. ^^ I think you are right... almost. ;) I already commented other people's entries a few days ago, look in my posting history. It's not much however, I know, so I went to comment on other entries I like today.
Usually I'm such a dawdler, but this image is honestly a bit quick for my relations. And I haven't done real concept sketches at all, because I have got the idea already so clear in my head. But I'll be posting some detail shots later. :)

What isn't right about the anatomy exactly? I think you mean the angel, it wasn't easy for me to paint him, because I had no real reference. But with Mary I'm actually quite happy and don't consider her pose unnatural; the reference photo I used for her is here:
http://www.deviantart.com/view/15043452/

@Samuraikuroi
Thank you =)) Yes, I'm 15.

NOOB!

04-16-2005, 03:19 PM

whos 15 now??

*thinks of chat up line*

hi! :drool:

Falcorr

04-16-2005, 03:40 PM

Hey. Great work!.. Just remember to submit all stages like concept sketch to get qualified.

You were really fast. Talented arent you huh :wise:

Only thing i can think of when it comes to your artwork is that you could do some measuring when it comes to the architecture of your building. Like the pillar so it would appear more rounded. Some solidifying element on the floor would also work.. Maybe?

And uhmm maybe darker shadows to some areas. Im not talking to make your picture dark. Even the brightest daylight photographs have dark areas.

Just to keep you busy for the last month:thumbsup:
Thanx for commenting on my picture!

cha0t1c1

04-16-2005, 04:10 PM

ok Maidith, great progress, but some pointers:..

if you work in ps, and still have the layers...
*try detail on the edges of the angel's dress(take it slow, no need to rush)...
*the angel's palms need more detail(not much but more, so you can stay with the light feeling)...
*the halos need more colours(a couple shades of soft vanilla to yellow)

I hope that helps you on keeping you busy until the contest due date...

W-I-L

04-16-2005, 07:46 PM

I love the softness of it but at the smae time, i would like to see a bit more diversity of light in it... or more atmoshpere if you know what i mean.. the piece is really beutiful and charcters relaly nice, but it just loks a little too flat... to me does not ook quite finished... tyr push it a bit more... but otherwise this is great stuff, and original within thsi competition...

cheeeng

04-17-2005, 07:40 AM

As Neozoom says you still have lots of time to improve on this. As i see it there are alot of things to be improved on or least to say make it look better.

- anatomy- As Neozoom had said earlier the anatomy needs some working. I think he means the left arm, it's too long. The palm looks odd <earlier mentioned by cha0t1c1 too>maybe you need to have some reference and study the mucles there.What isn't right about the anatomy exactly? I think you mean the angel, it wasn't easy for me to paint him, because I had no real reference. well 15 year old girl< i don't care if you are 15 or 51>, stop giving excuse! you didn't have a reference! just go by all means get one! or shot it yourself! or whatever! you've gotta be responsible for your art. And by the way if you could get a photo reference for Mary reference http://www.deviantart.com/view/15043452/ (http://www.deviantart.com/view/15043452/) then why not the angel?!If really you can't find shoot one yourself! You see you are doing a good job here and fast too since you've got so much time till the deadline go spend more time in improving your piece as i see it there are still lots of things needs to be done. We only want the best from you.

- cloth folding- the Mary's folding is fine. the angel need more working in foldings. Folding gives us a hint of waht is underneath. The angels give me an impression of having only one leg. I understand you want to have it one leg in front and one at the back but the leg that you intended to put it at the back seems to have no hips/ pelvis. One suggestion to recommend is since you want the legs to be one front and one at the back you could do something to your folding by enphasizing folding on the both knee. Add something like a "U" folding joining both the kneecap. THis way we could read the picture clearer. There is lack of folding study here at all curve lines <The Angel> at the tip of the dress. The curves doesn't tell the actual folding for a good example take a look at your Mary's very end of her dress see hoe the curves move up or down in relation to the folding or may i call it pressure points. Each pressure points create an upwards movement to the dress's tip.

-Ligthing- Obviously the main lighting is coming from the upperleft, then there is a back lighting from the sun, and a soft light purple on the right.-first- the main lightning on the uper left-observe Mary's right arm. There should be an obvious shadow for the arm that falls on her dress. ANgels left arm's shadow should fall on his left leg.-back ligthing of the sun- The pillar should have a shadow covering Mary's head because of this lighting from the back. And the beautiful decorations on the 'fence'<not sure what i would call it> should have some shadows adn sunrays on the floor. Mind the chair which Mary is leaning on her left arm too have some sunray and shadow visible on her dress there.- The purple lighthing -the fence on the left<don't know what should i call it> should have an obvious purple light to it, highlight would do just fine.

-Perspective- Fix the pillar!notice the curve there up the pillar which gives a rounded form to it. this means it's above the eye level which you put it at below the picture. Something that the eye level should be in a straight line in this case the pillar's square boxes should have noticible curve at the top and and slowly reside to the straigth eye level as the boxes move toward the eye level.

There you go all my comments i have to give to you.Well bare in mind i might be wrong if there is something you find meaningful then i would appreciate you use it if not then just dump it haha. Sorry if i might sound harsh here but i think it's necessary i don't wanna asspat you too much as i think asspating is too much here which leads to no improvement/suggestions/critques. well indeed you are 15 years old... but too bad girl i treat everybody the same. Have a nice week end, Kristina Gehrmann.

Lystmaler

04-17-2005, 08:44 AM

Wow Kristina! this is seriously a great peace. I won't give you that "WOW 15!" crap as age is indifferent.

I agree with cheeeng. If you can and have time, improve. :) You got some great talent.

Neozoom

04-17-2005, 10:06 AM

well 15 year old girl< i don't care if you are 15 or 51>, stop giving excuse!

well indeed you are 15 years old... but too bad girl i treat everybody the same. Have a nice week end, Kristina Gehrmann.

Sorry cheeeng ! But even if (and I know it wasn't the aim) you didn't want to be harsh with this young girl... you've been a bit...

15 IS an excuse to make somethin not PERFECT.. It is already better than 99% of 15 yo people's works...
and so We MUST congrats her...

but anyway right : NO need to RUSH :)
take time to work well on it :)

the girl pose is not too bad but even with photo reference... be careful.. it is not perfect here... I'll post you a help ;)
the angel have a lot to improve

nice girl can't wait the end

NOOB!

04-17-2005, 10:35 AM

i half agree with cheeng and half agree with neo.

Neo : age shudn't be an excuse,no one should say *i didn't draw it good cos i'm 15* etc. get me? however....

Cheeng:theres no need to lash out like that,the fact is,she didn't even tell anyone she was 15 in the first place,a member saw it in her profile,so ur flaming her for no reason,although u did have some good points,keep it cool.

latah!

Neozoom

04-17-2005, 11:09 AM

totaly agree with you noob...

but "don't be an asshole" it is not a guideline , it is a rule!

:)

keep good atmosphere guys :D

good by and wait some evolving from you my dear maidith.

Lystmaler

04-17-2005, 12:46 PM

Yess well, flaming is iresponsable and imature.

some point's, tough.

I don't know in which way it could be better, but it could. And thus I strongly believe she'll be happy for the critics, hes critics were not particurarly harsh, just hes attitude with the "15 year old" deal.

well 15 year old girl< i don't care if you are 15 or 51>, stop giving excuse!And miss Katerina did not give that excuse, the others did, thus I have to dissagree with cheeeng's quote here. But I honestly think that the others should stop giving this excuse, this artist got great talent, if we just say "Wow! it's pretty you're 15 amazing!" we'll be threating her like a child, and she would never improve. NEVER. She would then turn into some arogant "I know art" person. Atleast this is what could have happened. It's important to treath this great talented artist as if she would have been 40.

Sorry if i might sound harsh here but i think it's necessary i don't wanna asspat you too much as i think asspating is too much here which leads to no improvement/suggestions/critques. I did't find hes behaviour rude in anny way, he just forgot to compliment on the good things, but with this quote he also said that he didn't find it nessesary as others had allreddy did it. Personally I would compliment at the begining, but people are different.

ArtisticVisions

04-17-2005, 03:39 PM

Getting back to the artwork itself... :rolleyes:

I'd honestly keep working on the entry if I were you - right up until the end. Although I agree with most of the critiques that Cheeeng pointed out (specifically, the clothing and anatomy of the angel and the perspective of the image), there is one thing that I need to point out that I don't think anyone has yet:

How is this illustration related to the Master & Servant theme? :shrug:
Don't get me wrong, I think it's an interesting illustration... I just don't see how this image in it's current state expresses the themes of the Challenge.

Maidith

04-17-2005, 04:13 PM

Falcor_, cha0t1c1, cheeeng, and everyone... thanks for your input and critique! I'm indeed open for critique, it helps me improving my work for I've always gotten it and it always helped me. I'll jump at my graphic tablet still today and work on the mentioned areas. :D

well indeed you are 15 years old... but too bad girl i treat everybody the same.

Personally I think age is not a matter. I met and know people at my age or younger, who are far better at painting than I am, and I never did plead for any special treatment just because I'm 15. Thanks for your critique however, it is detailed and no, it's not harsh, but helpful.

I'd honestly keep working on the entry if I were you - right up until the end.

I want to do that, and I'll be doing that. :)

How is this illustration related to the Master & Servant theme?

I chose the subject of the Announciation because it does not represent just one, but various relationships of a master and servant to me. The one visible is between Mary and the archangel Gabriel, who is on the one hand a servant, the servant of God; on the other hand, he can represent to Mary the master, to whom she says (instead of saying it to God directly): "Ecce Ancilla Domini! - Behold the handmaid of the Lord".
We all know the story, Gabriel announciates the birth of Jesus, who was God's son and servant, and the same time he was his disciples' master.
I'm by the way not religious at all, but I like the stories in the Bible. As well as ancient Greek myths or fairytales do, they sometimes inspire me. ^^

cha0t1c1

04-17-2005, 04:14 PM

what do you mean? if the relation becomes a little more obvious it will lose the art base and becomes a text saying "Master(god), servants(Mary, Angel)"...please don't ask what the relation is? It's patronizing...

the response was toward ArtisticVision...

CarpeNoctem

04-17-2005, 05:27 PM

I'm by the way not religious at all, but I like the stories in the Bible. As well as ancient Greek myths or fairytales do, they sometimes inspire me. ^^

he he, I'm kinda relieved to hear that, because you began to scare me ;)

Good work so far. I like the colors and you've approached the challenge's theme with an interesting subject (the master/servant relationship is pretty clear, imo ^^. Though, it might require some thinking *grin*)

What really bugs me, is Mary's arm. Like some said, it's a bit too long. And I think her shoulders are a bit too wide. Check your reference and try to imagine her shoulders without the hair and the dress. Just a thought.

cheeeng

04-17-2005, 06:18 PM

Kristina,Lystmaler,noob,neozoom- if i am too harsh then accept my apologies. No hard feelings. MOST of the things that i said are directed to improving the art here. ANyway i will be watching you Kristina hhahah.

Tranchefeux

04-17-2005, 06:55 PM

Hello, there is softness in your painting and the plaice of clothing well, go, go for the continuation.

Maidith

04-17-2005, 07:56 PM

What really bugs me, is Mary's arm. Like some said, it's a bit too long. And I think her shoulders are a bit too wide. Check your reference and try to imagine her shoulders without the hair and the dress. Just a thought

Thanks for pointing out this, I wasn't so sure... ^^

GhostInTheMachine

04-17-2005, 08:22 PM

hi. thanks for dropping by on my thread. your image is serene, very nice work! :)

EriktheFunk

04-17-2005, 08:30 PM

i absolutely love your artwork, its very soothing to the eye, however the master servant relationship isnt very evident except for the generic angel over believer, but very good job

check out my post please and tell me what you think
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=227161

artjunkie

04-17-2005, 09:00 PM

I noticed you stopping by at my thread and decided to pop over to say hi, and that I really like the piece you're working on. I'm sorry I haven't noticed it before! :D

I too - although not very religious - find inspiration in ancient myths from various cultures, including the bible. I especially like how the faces seem to have a similarity to many of the ancient medieval iconographic paintings. You seem to have managed to capture just a hint of that somehow in your painting. Wonderful stuff!

Can't wait till it's finished... I'll be keepin' an eye on this one.

Cheers!

ArtisticVisions

04-17-2005, 11:23 PM

what do you mean? if the relation becomes a little more obvious it will lose the art base and becomes a text saying "Master(god), servants(Mary, Angel)"...please don't ask what the relation is? It's patronizing...

the response was toward ArtisticVision...
It's not patronizing - I just think the current version of this piece needs to better visually define the themes of the Challenge in the characters.
(that doesn't mean I don't think it's a good piece, cause it is very good) :)

jugeras

04-18-2005, 06:35 AM

in battle prepare to get hurt. peace yo all. great painting maidith.

there is never too much improvement, only overdoing. id suggest details on the pillar and floors perhaps? im sure you already took into consideration previuos c&cs.

one last thing, if you know youre not the best then youve still got space to grow. thats always an encouraging thought.

lovely artwork. every thing looks so tranquil (i hope thats the right word, hehe). really great work. i cant make any crits, since you obviously know what youre doing!

HOON

04-19-2005, 10:17 PM

lovely colorscheme and composition!
i like the direction you are heading here. more definition on details and some contrast value on characters will bring out the beauty in this image well. keep up the good work, i will keep my eyes on your progress too

calisto-lynn

04-20-2005, 11:05 AM

i like it. keep it up!:)

Maidith

04-22-2005, 08:56 PM

@grafik
Thank you^^

@ Mordalles
Thanks! :)

@ HOON
Thank you too. I feel honoured...

@ calisto
thanks. :) Your avatar is stylish, btw.

lotaH

04-22-2005, 09:22 PM

Great colors!! Very best choice!! Congratulations!

Atention for the hands.. ;)

[]'s

xric7

04-28-2005, 09:37 AM

beautiful work.:thumbsup:
realy love ur painting style.
good luck.

cha0t1c1

04-29-2005, 07:47 AM

where are u...been waiting for an update...come on...
:thumbsup:

snowkiwi

04-29-2005, 04:51 PM

Your colors and piece are uplifting.

umbrellasky

04-29-2005, 05:30 PM

Beautiful work Maidith. I love the colours and the golden glow of the piece. I can see some of the anatomy mistakes mentioned by the others but that wasn't what I initially was looking for with this piece. I found that the subject and the colours made me look past these mistakes and made me see and feel the emotion in the subject.

Beautiful work!!

ms@zx

04-29-2005, 06:44 PM

beautifully done maidith.love the colors,warm and harmoniously rendered~keep it going~and good luck to u:)

Maidith

04-30-2005, 09:41 PM

@ lotaH
Thanks! ^_^
I'm not sure if I'm going to work on the (angel's) hands or even on the angel further... I haven't got the nerve to scamp on it further and hereby I declare it for finished.

@ xric7
Thank you :)

@ cha0t1c1
I think I won't continue it. ^^;

@ snowkiwi
Thank you! :) That's so nice

@ enialadam
Thanks to you too :) I'm glad to read that you liked the golden glow, this was what I was aiming for.

I'd like to be the first to congratulate you on such a stunning piece...

good luck to you from here on...

calisto-lynn

05-15-2005, 07:29 PM

you're right, u have beautifull sense for colours also! cheers and good luck!:D

Maidith

05-16-2005, 08:37 AM

Thank you calisto and cha0t1c1 :)

Maidith

05-16-2005, 10:36 AM

I have got a little problem!

My Final Image upload doesn't really work... my LeechFTP says it was completely uploaded, but the zipped file doesn't show up on the server neither does it show up on the Final Image page... X_X
I've got the right filename, and it's the right resolution and a zipped TIF.